Bexhill Town Centre Steering Group

The fourth meeting of the Town Centre Steering Group took place on 27th December 2011.

The group were introduced to Mark Valleley, Transport and Planning Manager from East Sussex County Council and Brian Banks, Traffic and Safety Manager East Sussex County Council, East Network Highways. Mark gave an overview as to what funding is currently available for Traffic management which he sees as a critical part of the Bexhill Town Centre Project.

The government have announced a substantial fund of £560million to encourage and enable local sustainable transport throughout the country. Any bid from East Sussex County Council must reflect the bid requirements and the 3rd Local transport plan.

There is only one opportunity to bid and must include both Hastings and Bexhill projects.

Mark spoke about various traffic management schemes that could be undertaken and highlighted that the time frame for undertaking some projects could take 2-3 years because of the absolute need to consult with the various sections of the public affected by any changes.

Steering group members were presented by Rother Head of Planning Tim Hickling with a list of vacant town centre properties that have been unoccupied for a long period of time.

Tim circulated quotes obtained to cover the windows of these properties with wide format digital prints which would give the appearance of activity in the town whilst the owners sought new tenants.

Steering group members discussed the use of these prints and the alternative of the council sprucing up the properties and charging the owners. A decision of using stronger action of serving S215 orders on the offending property owners was decided to get the properties up to a better standard for re letting.

Graham Burgess, Head of Regeneration presented details of the Local Engagement Plan for discussion. To reduce costs members agreed to go forward on stage one and two only, the first being a survey to residents being included in the Rother Views magazine this February.

Graham then presented a scoping document of possible projects that could be looked at with a list of possible short term projects which have been drawn from discussions with interested parties. No decisions were made except to deliver the S215 orders. Graham will write proposals for several of the projects to be put forward to Cabinet.

Daniel Collins

Senior Communications Officer

28.01.11